Florida Town Demands Homeowners Take Down 'God Bless America' Signs

6 Oct 2013

Fox News: Residents of a Florida city who have had “God Bless America” signs posted on their front lawns for months have been ordered by local officials to remove them. MyFoxTampaBay.com reports that the First Baptist Church of Bartow distributed some 300 signs to residents following a Fourth of July celebration. The city only permits residents to display signs during major holidays is starting to crack down on the displays.

The city’s code enforcement division recently notified offending residents that its temporary sign ordinance has been in place for 13 years and already allows for some exceptions for yard displays.

Some Bartow residents disagree with the ordinance and have no plans to comply with the city’s request. “This is my yard that I’m paying the taxes on. It’s my right,” Emmett Purvis, an area resident with a sign, told MyFoxTampaBay.com.

Several residents are expected to seek a waiver from the ordinance at an upcoming Bartow City Commission meeting. The city’s code enforcement division does not enforce fines or penalties for non-compliance, according to the report.

City Manager George Long released a statement late Friday reminding residents that code enforcement officers are targeting all types of signs, regardless of the message.